Friday, July 06, 2007

Free Resume Tips To Improve Your Chances

Free resume tip anyone? Struggling to write an effective resume is something that holds many people back in their search for career success and employment happiness. Luckily, it’s not really that tough at all if you know how, so check out these 5 free resume tips to make your resume more effective!

Free Resume Tip 1-
Make sure your resume fits the bill. Far too many people just draw up a quick resume and submit the same thing to every vacancy they find. Needless to say, this is not usually too effective. Instead, rewrite it for every job you apply to, making sure all your stated skills and accomplishments match up with what the employer is looking for.

Free Resume Tip 2-
Show them what you can do for them. An employer is making a big investment in you when they take you on, and like anyone they want the biggest return on that investment. Show them what their returns will be by mentioning giving examples of your past achievements.

Free Resume Tip 3-
Don’t mention your current/previous salaries unless they specifically ask for them. If you do mention detail like this, quite simply you may be putting an upward limit on your earnings, or even worse may price you out of the running completely. Leave stuff like this for when you get the interview, or better yet, for when you get the job offer, as only then do you have some real leverage.

Free Resume Tip 4-
Go for a simple style. The number one problem facing most job applicants is time-employers simply don’t have time to give every application the time it may deserve, so you have to make it as easy as possible to read your resume. If you go for some outlandish or elaborate style with the hope of standing out, you will likely lose out because the employer will not make the effort to read it, and instead will move on to something simpler.

Free Resume Tip 5-
Try not to give too much work history. It’s unlikely that every single position you have had is relevant to the one you are applying for, so try and cut it down to an easily digestible amount. In reality, most employers really won’t care to know every single job you had since you left high school 25 years ago-with the time constraints faced by many businesses, it’s simply not practice to go into every candidate’s work history at such a depth.

As you can see, writing a resume is more about making the biggest impact you can in the least amount of time possible than it is about qualifications. Use these free resume tips to get ahead!
Free resume tip anyone? Struggling to write an effective resume is something that holds many people back in their search for career success and employment happiness. Luckily, it’s not really that tough at all if you know how, so check out these 5 free resume tips to make your resume more effective!

Free Resume Tip 1-
Make sure your resume fits the bill. Far too many people just draw up a quick resume and submit the same thing to every vacancy they find. Needless to say, this is not usually too effective. Instead, rewrite it for every job you apply to, making sure all your stated skills and accomplishments match up with what the employer is looking for.

Free Resume Tip 2-
Show them what you can do for them. An employer is making a big investment in you when they take you on, and like anyone they want the biggest return on that investment. Show them what their returns will be by mentioning giving examples of your past achievements.

Free Resume Tip 3-
Don’t mention your current/previous salaries unless they specifically ask for them. If you do mention detail like this, quite simply you may be putting an upward limit on your earnings, or even worse may price you out of the running completely. Leave stuff like this for when you get the interview, or better yet, for when you get the job offer, as only then do you have some real leverage.

Free Resume Tip 4-
Go for a simple style. The number one problem facing most job applicants is time-employers simply don’t have time to give every application the time it may deserve, so you have to make it as easy as possible to read your resume. If you go for some outlandish or elaborate style with the hope of standing out, you will likely lose out because the employer will not make the effort to read it, and instead will move on to something simpler.

Free Resume Tip 5-
Try not to give too much work history. It’s unlikely that every single position you have had is relevant to the one you are applying for, so try and cut it down to an easily digestible amount. In reality, most employers really won’t care to know every single job you had since you left high school 25 years ago-with the time constraints faced by many businesses, it’s simply not practice to go into every candidate’s work history at such a depth.

As you can see, writing a resume is more about making the biggest impact you can in the least amount of time possible than it is about qualifications. Use these free resume tips to get ahead!

Need A Free Job Interview Tip? Six of The Best Right Here

Need a free job interview tip? Contrary to popular belief, there is no big secret to being successful in job interviews. It’s not about who you know, or being super enthusiastic, it’s just about some clever preparation. Check out these free job interview tips for more details...

Free Job Interview Tip 1
Be ready for more than one kind of interview- standard interviews, behavioural interview, group interviews and roleplays all require different sets of skills to come in to play. None are particularly tricky to master, but it’s a good idea to at least be a little prepared for what each one has in store.

Free Job Interview Tip 2
Dress well. The first impression in a job interview carries far more weight than it probably should. If you don’t make that all important good first impression, you will already be behind before the whole thing starts! Wear a freshly pressed suit, leave the jewelry at home and go easy on the perfume/cologne/makeup!

Free Job Interview Tip 3
Research research research- The research you do, or lack thereof can make or break your employment aspirations. Who will they employ, the guy who shows up asking about last year’s stock price drop, or the guy who asks how long he gets for lunch?

Free Job Interview Tip 4
Learn some terminology. Again, this can create a great impression of you, most employers will be nicely impressed by someone who shows up and is able to speak to the interviewers on their level about their company.

Free Job Interview Tip 5
Focus the interview on the employer. Although they may seem all smiles and handshakes, they really aren’t concerned with what the company can do for you. They want to know what you can offer their company, and they want to know that above anything else. If you can illustrate exactly the benefits you will bring, you will be earmarking yourself as one to watch.

Free Job Interview Tip 6
Prepare some things to say. I don’t mean write any after dinner speeches or anything, but at some point you will likely be asked some very basic interview questions, so it would be a good idea to prepare for them. As an example, they will probably ask you for a little information about yourself. This can be truly painful-if you don’t have anything prepared, you will most likely end up rambling on and on, creating a terrible image of yourself as the nerves of the situation gradually overrun you. Instead, keep it to a few concise sentences and come to a definite stop. This will be much better!

As with many aspects of the job hunting experience, a job interview is nowhere near as terrifying as you first imagine, and hopefully these free job interview tips have helped you realise that!
Need a free job interview tip? Contrary to popular belief, there is no big secret to being successful in job interviews. It’s not about who you know, or being super enthusiastic, it’s just about some clever preparation. Check out these free job interview tips for more details...

Free Job Interview Tip 1
Be ready for more than one kind of interview- standard interviews, behavioural interview, group interviews and roleplays all require different sets of skills to come in to play. None are particularly tricky to master, but it’s a good idea to at least be a little prepared for what each one has in store.

Free Job Interview Tip 2
Dress well. The first impression in a job interview carries far more weight than it probably should. If you don’t make that all important good first impression, you will already be behind before the whole thing starts! Wear a freshly pressed suit, leave the jewelry at home and go easy on the perfume/cologne/makeup!

Free Job Interview Tip 3
Research research research- The research you do, or lack thereof can make or break your employment aspirations. Who will they employ, the guy who shows up asking about last year’s stock price drop, or the guy who asks how long he gets for lunch?

Free Job Interview Tip 4
Learn some terminology. Again, this can create a great impression of you, most employers will be nicely impressed by someone who shows up and is able to speak to the interviewers on their level about their company.

Free Job Interview Tip 5
Focus the interview on the employer. Although they may seem all smiles and handshakes, they really aren’t concerned with what the company can do for you. They want to know what you can offer their company, and they want to know that above anything else. If you can illustrate exactly the benefits you will bring, you will be earmarking yourself as one to watch.

Free Job Interview Tip 6
Prepare some things to say. I don’t mean write any after dinner speeches or anything, but at some point you will likely be asked some very basic interview questions, so it would be a good idea to prepare for them. As an example, they will probably ask you for a little information about yourself. This can be truly painful-if you don’t have anything prepared, you will most likely end up rambling on and on, creating a terrible image of yourself as the nerves of the situation gradually overrun you. Instead, keep it to a few concise sentences and come to a definite stop. This will be much better!

As with many aspects of the job hunting experience, a job interview is nowhere near as terrifying as you first imagine, and hopefully these free job interview tips have helped you realise that!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Our "Doctor" Need to Be Right Could Be a Drag to Creativity

Ever had the experience of wanting to jump into a conversation or meeting and assert your opinion because you can barely stand it that people are soooo obviously going down the wrong path and it's making you boil? Unfortunately your need to be right could throw a monkey wrench into the creative process of the team.

If I hadn't learned this lesson the hard way over and over myself I wouldn't be bringing it up, but ....

As physicians, we're smart and we think we're right a lot of the time. And we're verbally pretty tough on other people during meetings.

(If you immediately said to yourself, "but we usually are right", then you must go directly to doghouse for a short time out.)

What is the True Objective of a Meeting?

I'm bringing this up in the context of meetings, because that's where most of the trouble occurs.

Contrary to popular thought, the objective of most meetings is not trivial: We gather in order to make something happen, to create something out of nothing, to make decisions that affect the future of many lives, to bring together people with different perspectives and hammer out a solution to a complex problem.

Key point: Hammer out a solution, not each other.

It's not about whether you are smarter or know more than the other person, but can you collectively create a breakthrough? Can you launch a project, improve safety, automate your office, initiative a new service, reduce the budget, design a product, form a joint venture?

Key point: Being smart is not enough.

Your end-result is highly dependent on: a) The collective brain power in the room, and b) Your ability to meld your thoughts and perspective with others.

Key Strategy: You can be vocally and visually passionate about your ideas and opinions and still be productive and collaborative.

It's the melding of ideas that's a challenge for many physicians, so here are some suggestions for being passionate without shutting down everyone else.

Three Ways Be Constructive in Group Settings And Still be a Strong Vocal Advocate for Your Ideas:

#1 Manage your passion by using the phrase "this is something I feel strongly about" or "as you can tell I feel pretty passionate about this." By signaling that your emotional crescendo reflects your passion, not disdain for the other, you foster melding of ideas. #2 Listen to other ideas (this is so obvious I almost cringe at writing it down) and give them the benefit of being right by saying "that could work" before launching into your own ideas. Practice that phrase before your meeting. #3 Take frequent breaks as a group. During the break it is likely that smaller side-bar "idea-melding" conversations will occur that will not happen in front of the larger group. This is a good face-saving in preparation for compromise.

I can recall many loud, high-powered, highly charged, and YET productive meetings, where all the participants felt excited to contribute their ideas and where something new was created or accomplished. It is like watching ideas elbow each other for air-time and dominance. Rather than being a "drag" on us the participants, these types of meetings foster creativity and solution-development.

Being smart is good, and in fact it's real good. Now learn how to apply your smarts for the greater good. Toss your ideas into the ring and let the ideas slug it out without your personal need to be "right."

Executive coach, consultant and author, Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE is the "Career Strategist for Doctors." Dr. Gaillour delivers strategies, tactics, and tools that physicians never learned in medical training to achieve professional fulfillment, career advancement, and life abundance.

After practicing medicine for over ten years, Dr. Gaillour transitoned into healthcare technology marketing and management consulting. Her physician clients' struggle to cope with the dramatic changes in healthcare inspired her eventual journey to executive coaching. Dr. Gaillour works with physicians who are transitioning into leadership roles within healthcare, or expanding into non-clinical career paths that are aligned with their passion.
Ever had the experience of wanting to jump into a conversation or meeting and assert your opinion because you can barely stand it that people are soooo obviously going down the wrong path and it's making you boil? Unfortunately your need to be right could throw a monkey wrench into the creative process of the team.

If I hadn't learned this lesson the hard way over and over myself I wouldn't be bringing it up, but ....

As physicians, we're smart and we think we're right a lot of the time. And we're verbally pretty tough on other people during meetings.

(If you immediately said to yourself, "but we usually are right", then you must go directly to doghouse for a short time out.)

What is the True Objective of a Meeting?

I'm bringing this up in the context of meetings, because that's where most of the trouble occurs.

Contrary to popular thought, the objective of most meetings is not trivial: We gather in order to make something happen, to create something out of nothing, to make decisions that affect the future of many lives, to bring together people with different perspectives and hammer out a solution to a complex problem.

Key point: Hammer out a solution, not each other.

It's not about whether you are smarter or know more than the other person, but can you collectively create a breakthrough? Can you launch a project, improve safety, automate your office, initiative a new service, reduce the budget, design a product, form a joint venture?

Key point: Being smart is not enough.

Your end-result is highly dependent on: a) The collective brain power in the room, and b) Your ability to meld your thoughts and perspective with others.

Key Strategy: You can be vocally and visually passionate about your ideas and opinions and still be productive and collaborative.

It's the melding of ideas that's a challenge for many physicians, so here are some suggestions for being passionate without shutting down everyone else.

Three Ways Be Constructive in Group Settings And Still be a Strong Vocal Advocate for Your Ideas:

#1 Manage your passion by using the phrase "this is something I feel strongly about" or "as you can tell I feel pretty passionate about this." By signaling that your emotional crescendo reflects your passion, not disdain for the other, you foster melding of ideas. #2 Listen to other ideas (this is so obvious I almost cringe at writing it down) and give them the benefit of being right by saying "that could work" before launching into your own ideas. Practice that phrase before your meeting. #3 Take frequent breaks as a group. During the break it is likely that smaller side-bar "idea-melding" conversations will occur that will not happen in front of the larger group. This is a good face-saving in preparation for compromise.

I can recall many loud, high-powered, highly charged, and YET productive meetings, where all the participants felt excited to contribute their ideas and where something new was created or accomplished. It is like watching ideas elbow each other for air-time and dominance. Rather than being a "drag" on us the participants, these types of meetings foster creativity and solution-development.

Being smart is good, and in fact it's real good. Now learn how to apply your smarts for the greater good. Toss your ideas into the ring and let the ideas slug it out without your personal need to be "right."

Executive coach, consultant and author, Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE is the "Career Strategist for Doctors." Dr. Gaillour delivers strategies, tactics, and tools that physicians never learned in medical training to achieve professional fulfillment, career advancement, and life abundance.

After practicing medicine for over ten years, Dr. Gaillour transitoned into healthcare technology marketing and management consulting. Her physician clients' struggle to cope with the dramatic changes in healthcare inspired her eventual journey to executive coaching. Dr. Gaillour works with physicians who are transitioning into leadership roles within healthcare, or expanding into non-clinical career paths that are aligned with their passion.

Keeping Your Boss Happy

If your boss is constantly giving you a dirty look, you have a problem, and you must get it solved before u get fired. Your first task is to establish a positive report, and that will take more than a polite smile. The common sense way to build a positive rapport with your boss is by first finding out what your boss expects of you. If you understand those expectations there is a good chance that you can meet them through a focused effort.

Do you job, and, do you job well, you will see the dirty look on the bosses face turn to a smile. . But you must remember that the needs of any boss can change as the business climate does, and the good rapport you once had with your boss might have to be re-established, it is again that you have to find out what is expected of you as an employee, and if you can meet those new expectations you can keep the job.

The function of a boss is a mechanical one, and a well run concern has parts like a clock; its parts are its boss and its employees. The best way to get along with your boss is by doing your job well, and trying to be in synchronization with all the parts of the company. Trying to establish a good rapport with your boss when you are not doing your job is a wasted effort. Unless the boss is in love with you, it is a must that you do your work. If you won’t----you better be looking for a new job.

If you are the type of a person that is never good at any work that you do, you are not alone. There are many workers that are either slow to learn, or plain clumsy. If you fit that description there is still hope for you. If the boss is not satisfied with your work and is continually giving you dirty looks, ask for a moment of time where you two can be alone. Explain to you boss how difficult it is for you to do the work, and that you are willing to take a cut in pay in order to keep the job. Most bosses will appreciate your concern for his needs and will make a proper adjustment.

Never try to hold a job that is beyond your capabilities, you not only will make yourself unhappy, but also your superiors. Find a new job, one that you can handle, you will again be smiling and so will the boss.
If your boss is constantly giving you a dirty look, you have a problem, and you must get it solved before u get fired. Your first task is to establish a positive report, and that will take more than a polite smile. The common sense way to build a positive rapport with your boss is by first finding out what your boss expects of you. If you understand those expectations there is a good chance that you can meet them through a focused effort.

Do you job, and, do you job well, you will see the dirty look on the bosses face turn to a smile. . But you must remember that the needs of any boss can change as the business climate does, and the good rapport you once had with your boss might have to be re-established, it is again that you have to find out what is expected of you as an employee, and if you can meet those new expectations you can keep the job.

The function of a boss is a mechanical one, and a well run concern has parts like a clock; its parts are its boss and its employees. The best way to get along with your boss is by doing your job well, and trying to be in synchronization with all the parts of the company. Trying to establish a good rapport with your boss when you are not doing your job is a wasted effort. Unless the boss is in love with you, it is a must that you do your work. If you won’t----you better be looking for a new job.

If you are the type of a person that is never good at any work that you do, you are not alone. There are many workers that are either slow to learn, or plain clumsy. If you fit that description there is still hope for you. If the boss is not satisfied with your work and is continually giving you dirty looks, ask for a moment of time where you two can be alone. Explain to you boss how difficult it is for you to do the work, and that you are willing to take a cut in pay in order to keep the job. Most bosses will appreciate your concern for his needs and will make a proper adjustment.

Never try to hold a job that is beyond your capabilities, you not only will make yourself unhappy, but also your superiors. Find a new job, one that you can handle, you will again be smiling and so will the boss.